Chapter fifteen

⭐ ୧ Why does she get to hurt you over and over again? ও 🤕

The school bell rang loudly, signaling the end of the first morning class. The hallways quickly filled with the chatter of students, shuffling feet, and the occasional laugh. Among the crowd were Aera, Yun Hee, and Ji Eun, navigating their way to the 12th-grade Class 3. Aera carried Min Jun's green blazer neatly folded over her arm, her nerves threatening to take over as her two best friends flanked her on either side.

"Are you sure I don't look weird?" Aera asked for the fifth time, her fingers fiddling with the edge of the blazer.

"Aera, you look perfect," Yun Hee reassured her, linking arms with her friend. "Min Jun will probably blush the second he sees you."

Ji Eun nodded in agreement, a mischievous grin on her face. "Not just him. Half the school is probably going to faint from jealousy. You're practically glowing, girl."

Aera groaned softly, her cheeks already heating up. "This was supposed to be simple. Just hand it back, thank him, and leave."

"Oh, come on!" Yun Hee rolled her eyes. "Where's the fun in that?"

As they approached Min Jun's classroom, students milling in the hall began to notice them. The sight of Aera—arguably the most popular girl in school—holding what was clearly a boy's blazer sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd.

"Is that Min Jun's?" someone whispered.

"Are they dating?" another asked, barely able to contain their curiosity.

Aera bit her lip, trying to ignore the growing audience. She quickened her pace, but Ji Eun and Yun Hee seemed to enjoy the attention, grinning at the onlookers.

When they reached the classroom door, Yun Hee peeked inside and spotted Min Jun sitting at his desk, chatting with a friend. "Target acquired," she whispered dramatically.

"Stop it," Aera hissed, her voice low but panicked.

Ji Eun stifled a laugh. "Come on, you're the queen of confidence. Don't chicken out now."

Aera took a deep breath, steeling herself before stepping inside. The moment she entered the room, a hush fell over the students inside. Heads turned, and whispers erupted like wildfire.

"That's Aera!"

"Why's she here?"

"Wait, is that Min Jun's blazer she's holding?"

Min Jun looked up, his easygoing expression shifting into one of surprise as his gaze met hers. Aera froze for a moment, suddenly hyper-aware of all the eyes on her. Yun Hee and Ji Eun gave her gentle nudges from behind, urging her forward.

"Um..." Aera began, her voice barely above a whisper. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Hi, Min Jun."

Min Jun stood up from his desk, his usual calm demeanor replaced with an endearing awkwardness. "H-Hi, Aera."

She held out the blazer, her fingers trembling slightly. "You, uh, forgot this yesterday. I thought you might need it today for school."

Min Jun stepped closer, reaching out to take the blazer from her. "Thanks," he said softly, his gaze meeting hers briefly before darting away.

Before either of them could say anything else, someone in the hallway called out, "Ooooh!"

The entire class seemed to take this as their cue. A chorus of exaggerated "oohs" and teasing whistles filled the air, along with laughter and comments like, "Aww, how cute!" and "Are they confessing right now?"

Aera's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and Min Jun wasn't faring much better. He scratched the back of his neck, his ears visibly pink.

"Guys, cut it out!" Ji Eun called out, laughing but also trying to shield her friend from the teasing.

"Yeah, leave them alone," Yun Hee added, though her grin betrayed that she found the situation highly entertaining.

Aera glanced at Min Jun, her embarrassment mingling with amusement. "Sorry about... all of this," she said, gesturing vaguely at the chaos around them.

Min Jun smiled shyly, hugging the blazer close to his chest. "It's okay. I guess... it's part of the package when you're popular."

"You're not exactly invisible yourself," Aera shot back, her lips curving into a small smile.

Their quiet exchange was interrupted by another round of teasing from the crowd. "Kiss already!" someone shouted, causing both Aera and Min Jun to look anywhere but at each other.

"I should... probably get back to class," Aera said quickly, backing toward the door.

Min Jun nodded, his smile soft but genuine. "Thanks again for bringing this back. And... I'll see you later?"

"Yeah," Aera said, her heart fluttering as she turned to leave. "See you later."

As soon as they were out of earshot, Yun Hee and Ji Eun burst into laughter.

"That was priceless!" Ji Eun exclaimed, wiping a tear from her eye.

"I can't believe how red he got," Yun Hee added, throwing an arm around Aera. "You've got him hooked, Aera."

Aera sighed, half mortified and half thrilled. "You two are the worst," she muttered, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.

As they walked back to their own classroom, the sound of distant cheers and laughter echoed behind them, marking the start of what was sure to be the school's favorite new topic.

The warm glow of the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the school grounds as the trio—Joo Won, Aera, and San Ha—descended the stairs of the school building. The sound of their footsteps echoed faintly, blending with the hum of students chatting and the distant squeak of sneakers from the basketball court.

Joo Won, animated as always, was recounting the lunchtime drama, her hands gesturing dramatically. "So there he was, right in front of everyone, asking for a second chance! Can you believe the nerve?"

Aera, walking on San Ha's other side, tilted her head in curiosity. "And what did you say?"

"I forgave him," Joo Won said, shrugging nonchalantly, "but I told him we should just stay friends."

"Friends, my foot," San Ha muttered under his breath, his expression darkening slightly. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Don't give him false hope and just make it clear to him."

Joo Won frowned, her steps faltering. "I did make it clear. Why are you acting like I didn't?"

"Because you keep saying 'friends,' but you're not thinking about how he feels. You're giving him room to think there's still a chance," San Ha said, his voice calm but firm.

Joo Won rolled her eyes, her voice rising slightly. "I'll take care of it. Mind your own business."

"You told us to tell you everything. You should do the same," San Ha retorted.

"I mean, let's talk about it, not meddle in each other's business!" Joo Won shot back, her tone defensive.

"But it's the same thing," Aera chimed in, her soft voice carrying a note of reason. Her dark eyes flicked to Joo Won as she continued, "If you told us, then you should expect some opinions and suggestions. It's not like we're saying you have to follow them."

San Ha's lips quirked up briefly, his gaze softening as he glanced at his younger sister.

"Well yeah, but... eonnie..." Joo Won began, her voice trailing into a whine as she tried to deflect.

Before the argument could continue, San Ha came to an abrupt halt just a few steps from the school gate.

Both Aera and Joo Won froze behind him, their brows furrowing in confusion. "What's wrong?" Aera asked, her voice tinged with concern as she stepped to the side to see what had caught his attention.

San Ha didn't respond. His gaze was fixed ahead, his jaw clenched tight, his hands curling into fists at his sides. His usual calm, indifferent demeanor was gone, replaced by an expression that made Aera's stomach churn: disbelief, resentment, and something far darker—raw hate.

Aera and Joo Won followed his line of sight, and when they saw who stood before them, both sisters felt the air leave their lungs.

It was her.

San Ha's mother.

The woman who had abandoned him when he was just a boy. She stood a few feet away, her presence commanding yet cold. Dressed in an elegant white dress that swayed lightly in the breeze, she exuded an air of wealth and refinement. Her expression, however, was unreadable, her gaze fixed solely on San Ha as though no one else existed.

"You didn't answer your phone," she said, her voice calm but with an edge of impatience. She took a small step forward, but not close enough to bridge the gap between them.

Aera's hand instinctively tightened around her bag. She glanced at San Ha, her heart breaking at the storm brewing in his eyes.

San Ha turned his head slightly, just enough to look at Aera and Joo Won over his shoulder. His voice was low, controlled, but the anger simmering beneath was unmistakable. "Go ahead."

"San Ha—" Aera started, her voice hesitant, but he cut her off with a firm shake of his head.

"Go," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Joo Won and Aera exchanged a look, then gave a small bow to the woman out of politeness. She didn't even acknowledge them, her focus remaining solely on San Ha.

Joo Won hesitated for a moment before grabbing Aera's wrist, tugging her toward the direction of the gym. "Come on," she whispered urgently, her usual confidence replaced by an edge of worry.

"Joo Won," Aera said as they hurried away, glancing back over her shoulder. "Do you think he'll be okay?"

"I don't know," Joo Won admitted, her grip tightening on Aera's wrist. "But we need to tell Hae Jun."

The two of them broke into a sprint, their shoes slapping against the pavement as they raced toward the gym. Inside, the sound of bouncing basketballs and sneakers screeching against the polished floor filled the air.

Spotting Hae Jun on the court, Joo Won cupped her hands around her mouth and called out, "Oppa!"

Hae Jun looked up immediately, his smile fading as he noticed their frantic expressions. "What's wrong?" he asked, jogging over to them, the ball forgotten.

"It's San Ha," Joo Won said breathlessly. "She's here. His mom."

Hae Jun's expression darkened in an instant. "Where?"

"By the school gate," Aera replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Their hearts were heavy with worry for the brother who rarely let his guard down—and who was now face-to-face with the person who had hurt him most.

The late afternoon sun bathed the streets in a golden hue, but the tension outside the small coffee shop made the air feel heavy. Aera, Joo Won, and Hae Jun stood huddled in the corner, out of sight but with a clear view of the window where San Ha sat across from his mother. The sight was almost surreal—San Ha, stoic and unreadable, facing the woman who had caused him so much pain.

Joo Won's arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her jaw clenched as she glared through the glass. "I don't understand why she's here now. After ten years. Does she think she can just waltz back into his life and act like nothing happened?"

Hae Jun, hands in his pockets, shifted his weight as he observed the scene. "Wow, they look exactly the same," he murmured, his tone casual, though his brow furrowed slightly as he watched the interaction.

"How?" Joo Won snapped, turning to him with a look of disbelief. "They don't look alike at all."  Her voice was sharp, her resentment clear.

Hae Jun raised an eyebrow, shrugging. "I don't mean physically. It's in the way they hold themselves. That quiet, distant vibe—they've got the same energy."

Joo Won rolled her eyes and turned back to the window, muttering, "Don't romanticize it. She's a terrible person. There's nothing alike about them."

Hae Jun shifted his gaze to the two girls, his tone now more serious. "Why did you two bring me here?"

Joo Won's voice was steady but cold. "So we can save him if we need to." Her eyes never left the window, her expression a mix of anger and protectiveness.

"Save him from what?" Hae Jun scoffed, his disbelief clear. "Let's get out of here and not interfere." Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed Joo Won's wrist in frustration, his tone sharp.

"You can leave by yourself," Joo Won snapped, resisting his pull. "I'll stay!" Her voice rose, her stubbornness taking over as she dug her heels into the pavement.

"Joo Won—" Hae Jun began, exasperated, but Aera stepped in, placing a gentle hand on her unnie's shoulder.

"Go with him," Aera said softly, her voice calm but firm. She pushed Joo Won lightly toward Hae Jun. "I'll stay. If he needs me, I'll be here."

Joo Won hesitated, glancing between Aera and the coffee shop window. She wanted to argue, but Aera's steady gaze silenced her. With a frustrated sigh, she allowed Hae Jun to pull her away, though she muttered under her breath the entire time.

Aera watched them disappear into the distance before turning her attention back to the window. Her heart ached as she focused on the woman inside—the woman who had caused so much damage to someone she cared about.

Joo Won had told her everything. About how San Ha's mother blamed him for his younger sister's death when they were both children. How she had hurled cruel words at him, shattering his self-worth. How she'd abandoned him when he was just nine years old, choosing a new family over him. And now, ten years later, she was here, sitting across from him like none of it mattered.

Aera's hands curled into fists at her sides. The woman was shameless. Did she think she could just erase the past with a conversation over coffee?

She stood there, waiting, her heart pounding in her chest. It wasn't long before she saw San Ha stand abruptly from his seat. His movements were sharp, his expression unreadable. The sight made her stomach twist.

Aera stepped forward instinctively, her eyes locked on him as he exited the coffee shop. His pace was hurried, his shoulders tense. She could see the weight of emotions in the way he carried himself.

"San Ha," she called softly, taking another step toward him.

He stopped at the sound of her voice but didn't turn to face her. She reached out, her hand gently resting on his arm. "Are you okay?" Her voice was filled with concern, her brows furrowed as she tried to read him.

"I'm okay," he replied, his voice low and steady. But he didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he reached down and took her hand in his, his grip firm but not forceful. Without another word, he began to walk, leading her away from the coffee shop and its suffocating memories.

Aera followed him without hesitation, her hand warm in his. She glanced over her shoulder as they walked, her gaze finding the woman still seated inside. To her surprise, the woman was watching them, her sharp eyes following their retreating figures.

Aera's blood boiled at the sight. She wanted to storm back inside and tell that woman exactly what she thought of her. But then she looked at San Ha—his rigid posture, the tension in his steps—and she knew her place was by his side.

She tightened her grip on his hand, a silent reassurance. "You don't have to say anything," she murmured gently, her voice almost a whisper. "But if you need to talk... I'm here."

San Ha didn't respond immediately. His steps slowed slightly, and though he still didn't look at her, his grip on her hand softened, becoming more of a mutual hold than a desperate one.

"Thank you," he said finally, his voice barely audible.

Aera gave a small nod, even though he couldn't see it. She didn't need him to explain; she just needed him to know he wasn't alone. And for now, that was enough.

The hum of passing cars filled the air as Aera and San Ha walked along the sidewalk. The late afternoon sun had dipped behind the horizon, leaving the sky painted in hues of purple and orange. San Ha walked ahead, his shoulders tense, his head bowed low. Aera followed a few steps behind, her gaze fixed on him. She could see through his façade. He wasn't okay, no matter how much he pretended to be.

Her heart ached as she watched him. His silence was heavy, his steps dragging as though the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. She wanted to reach out, to say something comforting, but words felt insufficient. All she could offer was her quiet presence, her company in his storm.

Suddenly, her breath caught in her throat as she saw him step toward the crosswalk. The light was red. His head was still down, his mind elsewhere, oblivious to his surroundings. Panic surged through her when she noticed a white truck speeding toward him, blaring its horn.

"San Ha!" she cried, lunging forward. She grabbed his arm with both hands and yanked him back onto the sidewalk just as the truck whooshed past them, its horn echoing in her ears.

San Ha stumbled slightly but regained his balance. He stood there for a moment, his breathing shallow, as if coming back to reality. Aera's heart pounded in her chest, her hands trembling as she clung tightly to his arm.

He turned to look at her, his sharp features softening as he noticed her tear-filled eyes and worried expression.

"I didn't see it coming," he admitted quietly, his voice calm, almost detached, as though it was no big deal.

"That's all you have to say?" Aera's voice trembled with emotion, her fear turning into anger. "Do you want to die?!" Tears spilled down her cheeks, and her grip on his arm tightened.

San Ha gave her a small, almost amused smile. "You just saved me. So why would you kill me?"

"Don't smile!" Aera scolded, her voice rising. "How can you smile right now?" She motioned to her tear-streaked face, her expression both angry and hurt. "Look at me! I'm crying from the shock of what just happened!"

San Ha leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer to hers, studying her tearful expression with an unreadable gaze. His lips twitched into a faint smile. "How old are you? Crying in the street like this?"

"Whose fault is that?" Aera snapped, her face heating with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "Even a kindergartener knows you don't cross at a red light! And you—" She shook his arm for emphasis. "You couldn't even tell it was red! You just—recklessly tried to cross the street!"

San Ha raised an eyebrow, his teasing smile returning. "You're going to tear my uniform if you keep pulling like that."

Aera's anger wavered, but her concern stayed. "What did ahjumma say?" she asked, her tone softening slightly but still firm. She watched him carefully as he lowered his gaze, the teasing smile fading into something more serious.

"We agreed to tell each other everything," she reminded him gently. "No secrets, remember?"

San Ha exhaled slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "She scolded me."

Aera's brows furrowed. "Scolded you? For what?"

"She said I'll be punished," he replied, his tone neutral, but the pain behind his words was unmistakable.

"Punished?" Aera repeated, confusion etched on her face. "Why? You've never done anything wrong." Her voice rose with indignation as the realization hit her. "Is it because she still blames you for... for what happened to your sister?"

San Ha didn't answer, but the way his jaw tightened spoke volumes.

"She should be the one getting punished, not you!" Aera burst out, her anger flaring. "How can she still blame you? You were just a kid! It wasn't your fault—it was hers for leaving you both alone! Why does she get to hurt you over and over again?"

San Ha's jaw tightened as he tried to hold back his emotions, but his eyes glistened. Aera's anger softened as she took a small step closer.

Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. Her voice was steady but laced with emotion as she whispered, "If you cry, I cry. If you hurt, I hurt. Don't keep it all to yourself, San Ha."

San Ha stood frozen for a moment, his body tense, but her words and warmth slowly melted the barriers he'd put up. His hands hovered awkwardly before he gently placed them on her back, his head dipping to rest lightly against her shoulder.

The tender moment was interrupted by a low rumble. Aera's stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence.
She froze, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

San Ha pulled back slightly, his lips curving into a soft laugh that grew louder as Aera glared at him, still clinging to his arm.

"It's not funny," she muttered, her pout deepening. "I used up all my calories saving your life."

San Ha grinned. "Shall we go eat some jajangmyeon?" He leaned closer, his tone teasing. "You love it, don't you?"

Aera tilted her chin defiantly. "Hamburgers first," she declared. "I've been craving them for days."

San Ha chuckled, nodding as he reached out to ruffle her hair lightly. "Alright, hamburgers it is."

They began walking again, side by side this time, the tension from before easing with each step. Aera glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a small smile tugging at her lips. He seemed lighter now, even if only a little. And that, for her, was more than enough.

The warm, inviting aroma of freshly grilled burgers and crispy fries filled the air of the bustling hamburger restaurant. Aera sat across from San Ha at a small table by the window, the golden glow of the setting sun casting a soft light on her face. Her long hair, now tied up into a high ponytail, swayed slightly as she leaned forward to pick up her hamburger.

She took a generous bite, her cheeks puffing out as she chewed. San Ha, resting his chin on one hand, watched her with a faint smile, his gaze soft.

"Is it good?" he asked, his tone casual, though there was a trace of amusement in his eyes as he observed her reaction.

"Yes," Aera hummed happily, her expression lighting up as she nodded. "It's amazing," she added after swallowing, already reaching for her fries.

Instead of eating them one at a time, she grabbed a small handful and stuffed them into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out even more.

San Ha chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Have one at a time," he said, leaning forward to reach for the fries sticking out of her mouth.

But Aera leaned back instinctively, dodging his hand with ease. She kept chewing, her expression completely unbothered as she popped another fry into her mouth.

San Ha sighed in mock defeat, leaning back in his chair. "You're impossible."

Aera grinned triumphantly, wiping her fingers on a napkin before taking another sip of her drink. "You should try this burger next time. It's way better than the ones at the school snack shop."

San Ha raised an eyebrow. "Better than the ones Hae Jun and I make on our grill nights?"

Aera paused mid-bite, considering his question carefully. "Okay, maybe not that good, but this one's pretty close!"

San Ha chuckled, reaching for his own fries as he watched her eat.

Later, as the golden hour transitioned into twilight, the two of them made their way to a sleek, modern restaurant that had recently opened nearby. Aera's excitement was palpable as she walked in, her eyes lighting up at the familiar decor.

"This place!" she exclaimed, turning to San Ha with a wide smile. "It's where Min Jun and I went on our first—" She cut herself off, clearing her throat. "It's famous. The food is amazing. You'll love it."

San Ha raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on her sudden change of tone. "If you say so," he said with a small smirk, letting her lead the way to a cozy table for two.

Once seated, they ordered their food. Aera eagerly tapped her chopsticks against the table as she waited for the dish she'd been craving: jajangmyeon.

When the steaming bowl was finally placed in front of her, Aera's eyes widened, her excitement bubbling over. She grabbed her chopsticks, giving the noodles a quick stir to mix in the rich, dark sauce before lifting a generous bite to her mouth.

San Ha watched her intently, resting his chin on his hand again. "Is it good?" he asked, his voice low and curious.

Aera's eyes lit up as she nodded enthusiastically, slurping up the noodles. "This place is super famous," she explained between bites. "People come from all over just to eat here. The flavors are insane."

She twirled another portion of noodles with her chopsticks before turning to San Ha. "Here, you have to try it," she said, leaning over the table and holding the chopsticks out to him.

San Ha hesitated for only a moment before leaning forward and accepting the bite. His expression remained neutral as he chewed, but Aera leaned in expectantly, waiting for his verdict.

"Well?" she pressed, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"I like it," he said after swallowing, his tone measured but genuine.

Aera frowned playfully. "Not 'I like it.' It's delicious!"

San Ha chuckled at her insistence. "Okay, it's delicious," he repeated, the corners of his mouth lifting into a soft smile.

"Delicious!" Aera sing-songed, grinning as she grabbed another bite for herself.

San Ha shook his head fondly, leaning back in his chair. "You're really something, Aera."

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Something amazing, right?"

"Sure," he teased, his voice light. "Let's go with that."

Aera laughed, the sound ringing through the restaurant as she continued eating her jajangmyeon with unabashed delight. For a moment, everything felt lighter—no lingering pain, no heavy burdens. Just the two of them, sharing a meal and a rare moment of peace.

࿁ • 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬 . . . 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝒚𝒐𝒖
ྀིྀི 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝒎𝒆 𐙚 ~ @ 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 • ࿁

Sorry for my long absence here, but I've been so tired lately with school, with work, and I haven't really had the energy to update, so I hope you understand. 😮‍💨

Anyways, here's this long chapter as a compensation. I will see you all on the next chapter! 💗